Overview
Education is a discipline, encompassing many elements including concepts of teaching, learning and pedagogy. Understanding how people learn and are educated is a subject of great depth and variety. In fact, learning and education is not uniformly understood worldwide and can vary from country to country, region to region and culture to culture.
Whether you’re an experienced teacher looking to acquire a higher academic qualification, and progress in the profession, someone with a keen interest in the subject of education or wishing to change to a more educational career route, this course will take you on a rich learning journey of your own.
The Education MA is designed to develop your knowledge, skills and confidence in the subject of education. The programme will provide opportunities for you to develop knowledge and understanding of key theories, concepts and methodologies in the study of education.
The aim of the course is to help you understand the different disciplinary perspectives that inform the field of education, to engage in critical discussion on current issues and contemporary educational questions and to encourage global perspectives on educational policy and practice.
Along the way you will develop knowledge and understanding of a range of methodological approaches and the independence and confidence to undertake educational research for others or your own professional interests.
The course is available either as the Education MA or the Education MA with pathway choices in:
- Special Educational Needs and Disability and Inclusion
- Leadership and Management
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education
- Professional Practice and Pedagogy
Classes for the one-year full-time course are taught over two to three evenings a week from 5pm – 8pm, while the two-year part-time study option is taught one to two evenings per week.
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.
Course content
The Education MA will equip you with knowledge and understanding of a range of methodological approaches and the independence and confidence to undertake educational research for your own professional interests.
Your learning is made up of a core set of study blocks, and compulsory/optional MA specialism assessment blocks depending on whether you wish to specialise.
Pathway options:
- Special Educational Needs and Disability and Inclusion
- Leadership and Management
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education
- Professional Practice and Pedagogy.
The flexible structure of the course allows you to cover a range of core and specialist content tailored to your pathway. If you decide not to select a pathway, you can select the assessments that most interest you.
The MA programme structure consists of study blocks and a dissertation module. The study blocks include: 1. Disciplines of Education 2. Issues and Perspectives in Education 3. Theory and Methodology of Educational Research 4. Comparative and International Education. There are Assessment Blocks associated with each of the above mentioned Study Blocks, which students will normally need to complete, unless they have obtained exemptions.
Compulsory
- ED5703 - Theory and Methodology of Educational ResearchThe aims of this study block are to understand a range of philosophical and methodological stances underpinning educational research, to explain how a methodological perspective and the theorisation of the object of study influences the design of an educational research project, and to critique and interrogate the design of a particular piece of educational research.
- ED5705 - Issues and Perspectives in EducationThe aims of this study block are to know and understand a range of issues and debates in the contemporary field of education, to understand the policy context of education, to understand and account for differences in perspective on educational questions, and to offer a reasoned contribution to a contemporary educational debate.
- ED5706 - Comparative and International Education
- ED5704 - Disciplines in EducationThe aims of this study block are to understand the major disciplines underpinning the study of education, with a particular focus on the philosophy, history, sociology and psychology of education, and to understand education as a field of study, to understand the complexities of studying educational practice and to critically assess the significance of different disciplinary perspectives for educational research and practice.
- ED5615 - DissertationThe dissertation is the most substantial single piece of work undertaken during the MA Education degree course. It builds upon knowledge, understanding and skills that students develop during the taught part of the module. To be eligible for the award of MA Education (with specialism, as appropriate), the topic, title and work completed for the dissertation must clearly address the chosen specialism.
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Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel
Careers and your future
The Education MA will enhance your employment and career opportunities in complex professional environments that require sound judgement, personal responsibility and initiative.
If you successfully complete your Education MA, it will offer you a route into employment in a range of educational‑related fields either on graduation or via further professional study. If you would like to consider further study in education, perhaps PGCE teacher training, a taught Doctorate of Education or a research based PhD, you will be warmly encouraged by the department with the opportunity of discounted fees as a Brunel graduate.
UK entry requirements
- A 2:2 (or above) UK Honours degree or equivalent internationally recognised qualification. Relevant professional experience is desirable.
Applicants who have previously been awarded a PGCE in Primary Education or Secondary Education by Brunel University OR have been awarded a PGCE through another institution at FHEQ7 and who wish to APL onto the MA Education or MA Education (with pathway) programme may apply for exemptions. Applications for exemptions will need to adhere to the Brunel University London Policy and Senate Regulations.
EU and International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2025/26 entry
UK
£12,125 full-time
£6,060 part-time
International
£22,320 full-time
£11,160 part-time
More information on any additional course-related costs.
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Scholarships and bursaries
Teaching and learning
In-person, on-campus delivery allows us to model many of the skills, behaviours, and practices that the students will be striving to develop or enhance. Particularly with most students being international, they can be immersed into a community at Brunel and meeting in person is a key part of this. Students will be expected to all sessions.
Returning students will be completing the study blocks they have outstanding and will do so in line with agreed timelines as set out by exam boards or the course structure depending on the nature of their return.
There'll be a series of extra-curricular activities including sessions on campus and online to further engage students in topics and discussions relevant to their success of the programme.
Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.
We have computers available across campus for your use and laptop loan schemes to support you through your studies. You can find out more here.
Brunel has one of the longest established education departments in the country and is a leading research centre for work in supportive education that receives high ratings from the UK’s leading benchmarkers such as Ofsted.
You'll be taught by a team of enthusiastic academic staff, many of which are active researchers on a variety of education topics. Your learning will take place in groups of different sizes and compositions to provide a variety of experiences as you get to know and interact with a group of like-minded students from various walks of life.
You'll be taught using a variety of teaching and learning methods, including whole group lectures, seminars to encourage discussions and workshops, guided learning activities (individual and group), tutorials, and writing and computer workshops.
Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.
Assessment and feedback
Your learning will be assessed by coursework which is typically a 5,000 word assignment at the end of each module. To achieve your Education MA you will complete an 15,000 to 18,000 word dissertation under the guidance of an academic supervisor on an agreed topic of your choice related to your pathway choice.
You may be asked to submit formative assessments that don’t carry any marks towards your overall degree pass, to allow you to receive feedback and direction on how to improve the quality of formally marketed assessments.